“Cheers to a New Year and Another Chance for us to Get it Right.”

“The New Year is a painting not yet painted; a path not yet stepped on; a wing not yet taken off! Things haven’t happened as yet! Before the clock strikes twelve, remember that you are blessed with the ability to reshape your life!” 

― Mehmet Murat ildan

Wishing Peace, Prosperity and Good Health to Everyone!

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Cleanliness rules just don't apply!

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I is as dirty as dirty can beCause I is just a pig you seeI wallow around in my lovely styYour cleanliness rules just don’t applyI love the mud, that gooey stuffAnd as to the odor, I can’t get enoughThe stuff they feed me, you call it slopWell, I think it’s great, really tip- topI have no worries, no not a oneBut the dog just said ,”Go on, have fun-For if I’m not mistaken,                   You soon will be bacon..” by Barbara Gorelic

Museum Prints by "New York City Artist" "Joan Reese"

                                                                 http://joan-reese.pixels.com

Beautiful prints by "New York City Artist" "Joan Reese" available on canvas, framed prints, housewares,tote bags, shower curtains, towels, i phone covers, mugs and more...http://joan-reese.pixels.com

Sunrise is Nature's Painting for the Eyes.

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Sunrise offered a very beautiful spectacle; the water was quite unruffled, but the motion communicated by the tides was so great that, although there was not a breath of air stirring, the sea heaved slowly with a grand and majestic motion.              George Grey

Remember When Phone Calls Cost A Dime?

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The telephone is a wonderful invention, 

Calling all kinds of things to your attention. 

Living in the country and having a party line 

Meant others could listen to you at the same time. 

When the phone rang, we had to carefully listen 

To which ring was ours or a call we’d be missing. 

Our ring was 3 short, but there were 3 others 

Who may listen in if it were not for their mothers. 

We’d all give a jolt at the very first sound 

When off to the telephone we surely were bound. 

Standing there waiting for those 3 short rings 

For a call just for us as the telephone sings. 

by Jean E. Gorney

                    http://www.poetry.com/poems/592511-THE-OLD-TELEPHONE-Poem-151

How To Observe Thanksgiving

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Count your blessings instead of your crosses;

Count your gains instead of your losses.

Count your joys instead of your woes;

Count your friends instead of your foes.

Count your smiles instead of your tears;

Count your courage instead of your fears.

Count your full years instead of your lean;

Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.

Count your health instead of your wealth;

Thank your God instead of yourself.

Trump Presidency - Episode One

               http://joan-reese.pixels.com/featured/final-closing-joan-reese.html?newartwork=true

When America closes its doors, so does everybody else.

We are the primary engine of growth in the world

and we are the only beacon of free trade left, and open markets.

 Jon Huntsman, Jr. (R)

Autumn Leaves Speak Bliss to Me

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Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away; 

Lengthen night and shorten day; 

Every leaf speaks bliss to me 

Fluttering from the autumn tree. 

I shall smile when wreaths of snow 

Blossom where the rose should grow; 

I shall sing when night’s decay 

Ushers in a drearier day.

BY EMILY BRONTË

The Vampire Bares his Yellow Fangs

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“Be silent in that solitude,

Which is not loneliness—for then

The spirits of the dead, who stood

In life before thee, are again

In death around thee, and their will

Shall overshadow thee; be still.”

—From “Spirits of the Dead” by Edgar Allan Poe

King of Sneakers

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On my own I generally have very messy hair, 

wear jeans and sneakers.      Jewel

NYC Some live in Mansions; Some in holes

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Say this city has ten million souls,

Some are living in mansions, some are living in holes:

Yet there's no place for us, my dear,

yet there's no place for us.

by WH Auden

Advice from a pumpkin:

                            http://joan-reese.pixels.com/featured/october-pumpkins-joan-reese.html

Advice from a pumpkin:

give thanks

life's bounty

have thick skin

get plenty of sunshine

be well rounded 

keep growing

be outstanding in your field

think big!

Freedom Tower Shines like a Beacon in the Sky

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Freedom Tower

As Phoenix rose from the ashes,

this monumental building will rise,

paying tribute to heroes who died

on that fateful September morning.

by Maureen Halasovski

https://allpoetry.com/Maureen

Magic King of Glassland

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Monarch butterflies fly into the eye of a darken cave

In search of light and the Magic King of Glass Land.

The cave is a labyrinth of Reflecting glass walls. 

Look to the East, see your image Young and Beautiful,

Look to the West see your image covered in Gold,

Look tothe South see your image sitting on a King’s Throne,

Look to the North see your image Aged and Wise.

Argo, is the Magic King of Glass Land. 

Wish Seekers hope he will grant them their most desired image.

Most seek eternal Youth and Riches.

Genuflecting, before the mighty King Argo, 

The Wish Seekers request the reflection of their desire. 

King Argo commands a task to be performed. Most fail!

Failure dictates losing everything they hold dear to them.

King Argo demands the Wish Seeker catch a Monarch Butterfly in their
 mouth and swallow it with Honey Wine. 

The successful receive an Iron Hammer by King Argo. 

The Defeated stumble to their homeland.

They bemoan lost of assets they held dear. 

The Defeated look forward to a delicious meal, a soft bed and warm family greeting.

Family and friends look upon the Defeated as a stranger. 

The Defeated spend eternity looking for everything that is truly dear.

A teacher named John Sebastian selected the North Reflection of Wisdom. 

Holding his mouth open wide, brimming with honey wine, 

a Monarch Butterfly flew into his mouth and slid down his throat.

King Argo respectfully handed John Sebastian the iron hammer. 
He did not explain that once the Northern Reflection is smashed, 

John Sebastian’s spirit can travel the world at will sharing wisdom throughout eternity.

John Sebastian smashes the Northern Image into a thousand pieces

Creating a beautiful rainbow in the sky.

For many years, John Sebastian’s favorite place was his home town. 

After witnessing the passing of family and friends, he left to travel far and wide. 

A distant look is always present in his eyes. 

There are not enough hours in the day to solve the world’s problems, but he tries.

Rumors spread across the land that John Sebastian was more than 300 years old.

John Sebastian is unaware of the wish he made so many years ago.

by  Joan Reese

New York Magic Tricks Unexplained

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              Speed of Light

                              Sweeping changes to the sky

                            are swiftest not in dark of night

                          nor mid-day when the sun is high;

                   not in twilight though its vistas mesmerize.

                             My chameleon sky can morph

                               from airy blue to misty grey.

                         Fluid reds, golds, tangerines, pinks --

                             like silk scarves -- touch and swirl.

                                    Whole panoramas shift:

                                   magic tricks unexplained.

                          Bold mid-day/lush twilight/stoic night

                                               no match

                                  for fleet eye-opening skies

                                                of dawn. 

                                        by Fred Simpson 

                   https://www.amazon.com/Just-Another-Sunrise-Poems-Sun/dp/0990367002/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474075245&sr=8-1&keywords=Fred+Simpson+poems      

Coyote Moon Shone like a Silver Saucer.

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Coyote Moon by Joan Reese

A full moon shone like a silver saucer.

The moonlight cut through the bedroom venetian blinds, appearing as steps to heaven.

Suddenly, my head was filled with howling sounds.

Was it the wind, the ocean? I fell into a deep sleep.

I was transported to a forest filled with Banyan trees, their roots seeming like gnarly fingers reaching out from the bowels of the earth. My mouth opened wide to ask, “Is anyone there?”

I heard a roaring howl; was that me? I looked down, I no longer had a human body. I was transformed into a female coyote with golden fur. I instinctively knew I was in a secret meeting place.

I howled again and again. I heard the crunching of dried leaves; the sound was getting closer, but, I was not afraid.

From the darkened forest, I saw glowing eyes staring at me.

These eyes were familiar and I moved closer, unafraid. It was he, a large alpha male Coyote. I felt I had birthed many pups by this male.

The courting dance began. Rubbing our heads together, our jaws locked, tongue to tongue. For being a beast, he was very gentle.

The moon was now at its highest, it was easier to see our surroundings. More sounds of crunching leaves and breaking branches. Four more male coyotes joined the party, with teeth bared.

I proudly watched as a furious battle began; I hoped my mate would win. It was hard to tell the difference between the fighting animals. A stream of blood lead to my feet. Startled, I stood in the red pool. The moon was sinking in the sky, the howling, growling and fighting, continued.

I felt sunlight surrounding me. A sharp piercing sound invaded my sleep. My eyes half open, I searched for the sound and brought it close to my ear. I heard a familiar male voice, “Don't worry, we are going to win the case! 

You need to be at the courthouse at 9 o'clock sharp.

Manhattan - City of great Heart

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Oh music in stone, poetry in sculpture, song in architectual marble, prayer in granite, an ecstasy in steel and iron and gold, singing city of the great heart, singing city,

You are Manhattan!

Poems by Edwin Curran

Asbury Park, N.J. Everything old is new again!

Asbury Park, New Jersey, a sea side community had fallen into hard times for many years. Beautiful Victorian mansion where abandoned, some of them occupied by squatters.

From 2002 onward, Asbury Park has been in the midst of a cultural, political, and economic revival, led by a burgeoning industry of local and national artists.

Today, Asbury Park has a vibrant nightlife with more than 60 restaurants, a Showroom movie theater,http://theshowroomap.com, The Paramount Theater and Convention Center. Asbury Park is synonymous with music: Bruce Springsteen and the Stone Pony; where Springsteen performed several times. http://www.apboardwalk.com

Asbury is great for biking; you can rent one on the boardwalk. On one of my rides I discovered the "Stephen Crane House." I enjoyed a wonderful tour by Frank D'Alessandro who knew extensive facts about the famed author who wrote, "The Red Badge of Courage." The Stephen Crane House is the home of the Historical Society of Asbury Park.  Cultural events are held at the house such as poetry readings.

Courage

There was one who sought a new road.

He went into direful thickets,

And ultimately he died thus, alone;

But they said he had courage. 

by Stephen Crane

http://www.thestephencranehouse.org/main.html

How many artists have museums named after them?

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Tropicana Casino graces the sky with electrifying fireworks.

                               http://joan-reese.pixels.com/collections/fireworks
Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey graces the sky; summer Saturday evenings
with exploding bursts of scintillating, electrifying, kaleidoscope of radiant colors.

“The fireworks went on for nearly half an hour, great pulsing strobes, fiery dandelions and starbursts of light brightening both sky and water. It was hard to tell which was reality and which was reflection, as if there were two displays, above and below, going on simultaneously—one in space-time, mused Max, and the other in time-space.” 
― Sol Luckman, Snooze: A Story of Awakening

Wishing your Life goes by Swimmingly

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  Most of us, swimming against the tides of trouble the world knows nothing about, need only a bit of praise or encouragement - and we will make the goal.  

….Jerome P Fleishman

Cock-a-doodle-doo Who are you?

Cock-a-doodle-doo

Red rooster strut your stuff! 

Puff up your chest,

Fill the room with your allure.

Capture an audience with your grace.

Cock-a-doodle-doo 

All the little chickies gather ‘around, 

Admiring your strong calls, 

Sharp claw feet, 

Beautiful red face, 

Like a stop sign to ward off intruders.

Little chickies now feel safe. 

Are you, are you a red rooster? 

Standing firm in your space,

No one dares to give you chase!

Cock-a-doodle-doo 

Are you one of the little chickies 

or Red rooster strutting his stuff?

Admiring chickies or strong rooster?

                                                           by Joan Reese

Kiss your Troubles Adieu

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A Time for Less Hate and Greed

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Duty to Our Flag

Less hate and greed                       

Is what we need

And more of service true;

More men to love

The flag above

And keep it first in view.

by Edgar A. Guest

Yosemite's Massive Beauty Mystifies

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“...full of God's thoughts, a place of peace and safety amid the most exalted grandeur and enthusiastic action, a new song, a place of beginnings abounding in first lessons of life, mountain building, eternal, invincible, unbreakable order; with sermons in stone, storms, trees, flowers, and animals brimful with humanity.” 

― John Muir

The White Rose Represents Pure Love!

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The White Rose

The red rose whispers of passion,

And the white rose breathes of love;

O, the red rose is a falcon,

And the white rose is a dove.

But I send you a cream-white rosebud

With a flush on its petal tips;

For the love that is purest and sweetest

Has a kiss of desire on the lips.

John Boyle O’Reilly, 1844 - 1890

Goldfish make me smile!

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A Smile To Remember 

we had goldfish and they circled around and around 

in the bowl on the table near the heavy drapes 

covering the picture window and 

my mother, always smiling, wanting us all 

to be happy, told me, 'be happy Henry!' 

and she was right: it's better to be happy if you 

can 

but my father continued to beat her and me several times a week while 

raging inside his 6-foot-two frame because he couldn't 

understand what was attacking him from within. 

my mother, poor fish, 

wanting to be happy, beaten two or three times a 

week, telling me to be happy: 'Henry, smile! 

why don't you ever smile?' 

and then she would smile, to show me how, and it was the 

saddest smile I ever saw 

one day the goldfish died, all five of them, 

they floated on the water, on their sides, their 

eyes still open, 

and when my father got home he threw them to the cat 

there on the kitchen floor and we watched as my mother 

smiled 

Charles Bukowski 

Apollo Theater Honors Prince

Prince first played the Apollo in March 1993, an invitation-only gig with most of the tickets given to Harlem community groups. The incomparable Prince will be honored June 2016 with his induction into the Apollo Theater’s Walk of Fame.

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Honey, I know, I know

I know times are changing

It's time we all reach out

For something new, that means you too

             By Prince

The Chinaman and the Bamboo Tree

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The Chinaman and the Bamboo Tree

by Joan Reese

I wish. I wish. For a Bamboo Tree.

I create hundreds of Bamboo Trees on rice paper.

Chinese black ink, makes five shades.

Green and gold watercolor bring the leaves to life.

I wish. I wish. For a Bamboo Tree 

To look and see, everyday, beautiful bamboo tree.

Passing Chinatown Park, I stop and watch

Old Chinaman loving his plot of land.

His prize; six foot tall Bamboo swaying in the wind

Outgrew his little garden.

Toothless Chinaman smiled, pointing to Bamboo tree.

“You want?” My beaming smile the answer.

With small shovel; all his might

Pulled Bamboo from its earthy embrace.

People gathered to watch the Chinaman.

Proud was he, when he presented the tree to me.

My wish granted by the Chinaman and his Bamboo tree.

His gift: too heavy for me to budge.

He lifted one finger, motioning me to wait.

Disappearing behind an iron gate.

Rolling out a  hand-truck, placing in it the Bamboo Tree

His gift to me was complete.

I offered him money.

He fanned my hand away.

My wish was granted for a Bamboo Tree. 

To look and see, everyday, beautiful bamboo tree.